Vienna Media News 08/2016
Time for Vienna

Vienna’s trademark cube clocks, with their octagonal shape and clear faces, have helped define the look and feel of the city since their introduction in 1907. Now the design provides inspiration for a new collection of everyday items.

A year ago Vienna art trading company lichterloh introduced a limited edition wristwatch inspired by the classic cube clock design. Called Normalzeit (standard time), the piece’s name harks back to the wording on the original clock face. The design comes from Vienna-born, New York-based designer Fredi Brodman. Limited to a production run of just 1,907 – to match the year of the clocks’ introduction – the Normalzeit wristwatch was a runaway success, and even appeared in the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) Design Store in New York.

Now lichterloh has teamed up with a group of respected Viennese companies to issue a full “Normalzeit” collection which is brought together under the Time for Vienna brand. Another wristwatch, slightly smaller in size, is available with a quartz mechanism under an unlimited production run. Normalzeit Red 36 comes with leather straps in red, blue and black from Viennese manufacturer R. Horn’s. Traditional company Lobmeyr is also represented, with a light blue drinking glass featuring the face of the cube clock. Augarten Porcelain Manufactory designed a striking espresso cup and saucer with the word Normalzeit in red. Tea fans can look forward to a unique Viennese blend from Demmers Teehaus in specially designed Time for Vienna packaging. Additional products and an online store are in the pipeline.